Curling iron with a clamping member having a lateral comb edge

ABSTRACT

A curling iron includes a concave clamping member having a lateral straight edge and a lateral comb edge. The clamping member is adapted to mate with a curling rod when the curling iron is in a closed position. The straight edge of the clamping member is substantially parallel to the comb edge. The comb edge includes a plurality of uniformly spaced combing teeth. Each tooth is tapered from a root portion to a distal end of the tooth. The teeth are curved to the contour of the concave clamping member. A pair of pivotally attached handles enable opening and closing of the curling iron. During curling, the curling iron may be rotated so that either the straight edge or the comb edge moves towards the hair and engages and styles the hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to curling irons, and, more particularly, to curling irons with an arcuate clamping member having a comb portion.

2. Background Description

Many curling irons have been devised to curl hair. Most conventional curling irons are comprised of a scissor-like device with a curling rod and a bill-shaped concave clamping member, each attached to a handle. A hinge enables the clamping member and rod to pivot for opening and closing movement. When closed, the concave surface of the clamping member engages (i.e., mates with) the curling rod. Hair may be wrapped around the curling rod and positioned between the interface of the mating surfaces of the clamping member and curling rod to aid in curling the hair.

While known prior art curling irons facilitate curling, they have shortcomings. In particular, known clamping members do not provide a comb section for styling while pulling wrapped hair around the clamping member. Consequently, conventional curling irons do not enable styling with a comb while curling.

As a consequence of the foregoing, there exists a longstanding need for a new and improved curling iron with a comb clamping member. The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome problems as set forth above, in one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the invention a curling iron includes a concave clamping member having a lateral straight edge and a lateral comb edge. The clamping member includes a comb and is adapted to mate with a curling rod when the curling iron is in a closed position. The straight edge, an integral part of the clamping member, is substantially parallel to the comb edge. The comb edge includes a plurality of uniformly spaced combing teeth. Each tooth is tapered from a root portion to a distal end of the tooth. The teeth are curved to the contour of the concave clamping member. A pair of pivotally coupled handles enable scissor-like opening and closing of the curling iron. During curling, the curling iron may be rotated so that the comb edge moves towards the hair and the teeth engage and style the hair.

The curling rod may include a cavity and contain a heating element therein. Alternatively, the curling rod may be a solid metal rod that is heated by an external heating source, such as an oven or stove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawing, where:

FIG. 1 is a comb side view of a curling iron in a closed position according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flat side view of a curling iron in a closed position according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a curling iron in an opened position according to principles of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the distal end of an exemplary clamping member and concentric curling rod according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the distal end of an exemplary clamping member and concentric C-shaped curling rod according to principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first side view of an exemplary curling iron 100 according to principles of the invention is conceptually shown. The exemplary curling iron 100 generally includes a pair of scissor-like handles 150 and 120. A curling rod 170 has an outer peripheral surface and a first (proximal) end attached to a handle 150 and a second (distal) end projecting outwardly from the handle 150. A concave clamping member 105 has a flat portion 115 and a comb portion 110 and a first (proximal) end attached to a handle 120 and a second (distal) end projecting outwardly from the handle 120.

Handle 150 attached to curling rod 170 comprises a first pivoting member. Handle 120 attached to concave clamping member 105 comprises a second pivoting member. Each pivoting member includes an intermediate pivoting section 155 and 165 with alignable holes 160 and 161. The intermediate pivoting sections 155 and 165 are pivotally joined with a pivot pin 167 through the alignable holes 160 and 161. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other pivoting assemblies may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

When the exemplary curling iron 100 is assembled, the first pivoting member and second pivoting member are movable between an open position, shown in FIG. 3, to a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. During this movement, pivoting occurs about the pivot pin 167 that pivotally connects intermediate pivoting section 155 and 165 between alignable holes 160 and 161. When the pair of handles 150 and 120 are squeezed towards each other, the concave clamping member 105 engages the cylindrical curling rod 170, applying pressure therebetween. When the pair of handles 150 and 120 are moved away from each other, the concave clamping member 105 separates from the cylindrical curling rod 170, relieving any pressure applied therebetween.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the clamping member 105 has a concave shape with a radius of curvature approximately equal to or slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the circular cross section of the curling rod 170. Advantageously, concave clamping member 105, includes two lateral edges. One lateral edge is a conventional straight edge 115. However, the other lateral edge 110 is a comb edge with teeth for combing. The comb edge 110 is substantially parallel to the straight edge 115, but may extend further than the straight edge 115, as conceptually shown in the front plan view of FIG. 4. The comb edge 110 includes spaced apart, parallel elongated combing teeth (e.g., tooth 111, as shown in FIG. 4). The teeth 111 are preferably uniformly spaced. The teeth 111 are integrally joined to the body of the clamping member 105. The teeth 111 are preferably tapered from root portions 111 b to distal ends 111 a. In a preferred implementation the teeth are curved generally to the contour of the clamping member 105. While FIG. 3 shows a plurality of triangular shaped teeth along comb edge 110 for illustrative purposes, the actual geometry, size and spacing of the teeth may vary without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, the teeth may be integrally formed with the clamping member 105 or attached to the clamping member 105 by chemical, thermal or mechanical bonding or attachments. The clamping member 105 may be comprised of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or cast iron, or other metals, alloys or materials with good physical and thermal (e.g., heat retention) properties. The clamping member 105 should preferably be rigid, durable, corrosion resistant and able to withstand elevated temperatures of curling irons.

The curling rod 170 may be a solid or hollow metal rod-like member. The rod may be comprised of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or cast iron, or other metals, alloys or materials with good physical and thermal properties. The rod 170 should preferably be rigid, durable, corrosion resistant, able to withstand elevated temperatures of curling irons and retain heat. The diameter of the rod 170 may vary from a fraction of an inch (e.g., ¾ inches) to over an inch (e.g., 2 inches) depending upon the tightness of curls desired. Although a curling rod 170 with a circular cross-section is preferred, other non-circular cross sections (e.g., ellipsoid, C-shaped and oval) may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of example and not limitation, the plan view of FIG. 5 illustrates a C-shaped curling rod 170.

The curling rod 170 may be heated by placement in a heating source such as an oven. Alternatively, the rod 170 may have an axially extending bore (not shown) for receiving an electrical heating element (also not shown).

Each handle may include one or more hand grips 140 and 130 to provide comfort and thermal insulation. The hand grips 140 and 130 may be comprised of plastic, rubber or other polymeric, elastomeric or composite materials suitable for use as handgrips. The hand grips 140 and 130 may be bonded to the handles 140 and 130 or removable. The grips 140 and 130 may have smooth or rough surfaces, and may be soft or hard.

In operation, the curling rod 170 is heated using either an internal heating element or an external heat source such as an oven. The temperature should be sufficient to facilitate curling without damaging hair. Next, a lock of hair is draped or wrapped around the curling rod 170. Then the clamping member 105 may be closed to exert pressure on the hair against the curling rod 170 by urging the handles 150 and 120 towards each other. Next the curling iron may be rotated so that the comb edge 110 moves towards the hair. Use of the comb portion facilitates making loose curls, or tight curls and waves. Alternatively, the curling iron may be rotated in the opposite direction so the straight edge 115 moves towards the hair, as in conventional curling processes. As the pressure exerted on the handles is released, the hair may be drawn through the comb teeth 110 while a curl is formed. After the hair is released and the clamping member 105 is separated from the curling rod 170, the curling iron 100 is ready for the next curling operation.

It should be appreciated that the exemplary curling iron 100 as described above is broadly applicable for use in combination with curling irons of various constructions, and the particular construction of the attachment 10 may be varied according to the design of the associated curling iron as well as the particular hair curling or styling function sought to be accomplished.

While the invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, implementations and examples, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims including equivalents thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Variations and modifications may be affected within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. A curling iron comprised of a curling rod, a concave clamping member having a lateral straight edge and a lateral comb edge, said clamping member being adapted to mate with the curling rod when the curling iron is in a closed position.
 2. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the comb edge includes a plurality of combing teeth, said combing teeth being uniformly spaced apart along the comb edge.
 3. A curling iron according to claim 2, wherein each tooth of the plurality of combing teeth is tapered from a root portion to a distal end of the tooth.
 4. A curling iron according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of combing teeth are curved to the contour of the concave clamping member.
 5. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the curling rod has a circular cross section with a first radius of curvature and the clamping member has a radius of curvature about equal to or larger than the first radius of curvature.
 6. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the curling rod is solid.
 7. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the curling rod includes a central conduit.
 8. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the curling rod includes a central conduit and an electrical heating element disposed within said central conduit.
 9. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the curling rod is comprised of a material from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, iron, and alloys of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or iron.
 10. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the clamping member is comprised of a material from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, iron, and alloys of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or iron.
 11. A curling iron according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of handles, including a first handle being operably coupled to the curling rod, and a second handle being operably coupled to the clamping member, a pivot pin adapted for pivotally joining the first handle to the second handle.
 12. A curling iron according to claim 1, wherein the curling rod has a noncircular cross section with a first radius of curvature and the clamping member has a radius of curvature about equal to or larger than the first radius of curvature.
 13. A curling iron according to claim 11, further comprising a first handle grip adapted for the first handle and a second handle grip adapted for the second handle.
 14. A curling iron comprised of a curling rod having a circular cross section, a clamping member with a semicircular cross-section, said clamping member having a lateral straight edge and a lateral comb edge, and said clamping member being adapted to mate with the curling rod when the curling iron is in a closed position, wherein the comb edge includes a plurality of combing teeth, said combing teeth being uniformly spaced apart along the comb edge.
 15. A curling iron according to claim 13, wherein each tooth of the plurality of combing teeth is tapered from a root portion to a distal end of the tooth.
 16. A curling iron according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of combing teeth are curved to the contour of the concave clamping member.
 17. A curling iron according to claim 15, wherein the circular cross section of the curling rod has a first radius of curvature and the semi-circular cross-section of the clamping member has a radius of curvature equal to or larger than the first radius of curvature.
 18. A curling iron according to claim 16, wherein the curling rod includes a central conduit and an electrical heating element disposed within said central conduit.
 19. A curling iron according to claim 17, wherein the curling rod and clamping member are each comprised of a material from the group consisting of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, iron, and alloys of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or iron.
 20. A curling iron according to claim 19, further comprising a pair of handles, including a first handle being operably coupled to the curling rod, and a second handle being operably coupled to the clamping member, a pivot pin adapted for pivotally joining the first handle to the second handle, a first handle grip adapted for the first handle and a second handle grip adapted for the second handle. 